No questions
I say, “Keep the king’s commandment for the sake of your oath to God. ~ Ecclesiastes 8:2
At the beginning of this year, there was a change in the leadership of our country. Leadership shifts are a regular part of life and every few years, we see a new face in the highest office of the land. This time felt unique because the president who stepped in had already served before. In some ways, we knew what to expect, but even so, opinions were divided. Some celebrated the change while others not so much. The fact is that every leader brings change, and how we respond says a lot about our trust, not just in people, but mostly in God.
In Ecclesiastes 8, Solomon gives a powerful instruction: Obey the king, not for the king’s sake, but for the sake of your oath to God. In other words, honor leadership because of your higher allegiance to God, not because you agree with every decision that is made.
This is a difficult truth in a time where questioning authority is almost second nature. Yet the wisdom of God says: “Don’t be quick to walk away… don’t put yourself in agreement with rebellion… and remember, the king has power you may not understand” (vv. 3–4). These verses aren’t about blind obedience but about honoring God’s order and trusting His timing, especially in times when circumstances feel unjust or confusing.
This was the reality during Jesus’ earthly ministry. The people of Israel lived under Roman occupation, a government that was pagan, harsh, and foreign. Yet, Jesus didn’t lead an uprising or teach rebellion. Instead, He told His followers to give Caesar what belonged to Caesar and to live peacefully and honorably as citizens of heaven first.
This is not to say we accept injustice or ignore wrongdoing. There’s a time for godly resistance, but wisdom teaches us to be slow to react, careful with our words, and discerning about the timing and the way we respond (v.5–6). God is a God of order, and His wisdom teaches us to trust Him through the systems of this world, even the imperfect ones.
I remember a season when I deeply disagreed with a decision made by a leader I was under. Everything in me wanted to speak up, argue, or even walk away. But during that time, I sensed the Lord putting on my heart to stay, serve, and pray. It wasn’t easy. I had many internal conversations with God asking why and how long. But as I leaned into wisdom instead of reaction, I saw God work things out in ways I never could have through rebellion. That experience taught me that God honors those who trust His authority above man’s, and He fights for those who walk in humility and peace.
Trusting God doesn’t mean fighting against authority until it gives in to pressure. Trusting God means pressing into Him and waiting for His timing, all the while believing that as we live peaceably with all people, He is at work behind the scenes. Doing things God’s way and placing our trust in Him opens the door for Him to bring about the best possible outcome, which is something we never could orchestrate on our own.
Below are the steps we should be doing to support out leaders and give God the entrance to bring about His good plan and purpose in this time and season of government rule:
- Honor leadership, even when it’s difficult
Not because you approve of every choice, but because you honor God above all. Speak with respect, even in disagreement. - Practice wisdom over reaction
Verse 5 says, “A wise man’s heart discerns both time and judgment.” Before you speak or act, pause and pray. Is this the right time? Is this the right way? - Trust God with what you cannot control
Verse 7 reminds us, “No one knows what will happen.” Don’t live in fear of the unknown. God already knows the outcome, and He holds your future securely. - Avoid agreeing with evil out of frustration
Verse 3 warns against standing for an “evil thing.” Don’t let bitterness or discouragement push you into rebellion or gossip. Stay anchored in truth and peace.
You can get started on these steps today. If it seems like you don’t want to or that it will be very difficult to change your perspective, consider starting here:
- Start with prayer. Ask the Holy Spirit for a heart that honors leadership and discerns wisely and give God full access to your heart to do His good works.
- Read Romans 13:1–7 alongside Ecclesiastes 8 and reflect on God’s perspective of authority.
- Choose silence over criticism for one week when it comes to leadership, whether in government, your workplace, or your church. Focus instead on speaking words of blessing.
- Ask God to search your heart. Are there areas where rebellion, frustration, or impatience have taken root? Surrender those to Him.
Today I want to encourage you to remember in a world full of opinions, debates, and discontent, Ecclesiastes 8:4 says, “Where the word of a king is, there is power; and who may say to him, ‘What are you doing?’” This isn’t a call to silence, but a call to trust that God’s hand is over every ruler and every season. You don’t have to have all the answers. You don’t have to fight every battle. Sometimes, the wisest and most powerful thing you can do is to submit to God, walk in wisdom, and trust Him with what you don’t understand.
Let today be the day you choose to release control, honor authority, and walk in peace with no questions asked. Just do it because you decide to do things God’s way and when God sees your willing heart of obedience, and He will honor it in due time.
Today’s scripture reading: Ecclesiastes 8:1-9
1 Who is like a wise man? And who knows the interpretation of a thing? A man’s wisdom makes his face shine, and the sternness of his face is changed.
2 I say, “Keep the king’s commandment for the sake of your oath to God.
3 Do not be hasty to go from his presence. Do not take your stand for an evil thing, for he does whatever pleases him.”
4 Where the word of a king is, there is power; And who may say to him, “What are you doing?”
5 He who keeps his command will experience nothing harmful; And a wise man’s heart discerns both time and judgment,
6 Because for every matter there is a time and judgment, though the misery of man increases greatly.
7 For he does not know what will happen; So who can tell him when it will occur?
8 No one has power over the spirit to retain the spirit, and no one has power in the day of death. There is no release from that war, and wickedness will not deliver those who are given to it.
9 All this I have seen, and applied my heart to every work that is done under the sun: There is a time in which one man rules over another to his own hurt.
The Daily Dose 